Aung San Suu kyi
Aung San Suu kyi is the lady of Myanmar. Her father had always fought for the independence of Burma. He was the biggest inspiration that Aung San Suu Kyi had to fight of human rights and freedom of her country. Suu Kyi strongly believed in peaceful acts and protests to obtain what her country deserved, including herself. The suffering of her country led her to take actions that dramatically changed Burma's future. She wanted to see a stop in voilence in her country. Growing up, Aung San Suu Kyi always noticed the misery her country was in. She decided to fight to end it all. She always came up with peaceful ideas to fight against her governments actions. She became involved increasingly and began to have a say in her country. All of this was shut down, by the Burmese government. Aung San Suu kyi was put under house arrest, with no end in sight. The struggle of isolation was granted to her for 21 years. She as a strong leader took this as an opportunity to show the government that, arresting her wasn't going to stop her in any way. Aung as a strong leader spent many years in solitude and when was realized in 2010, started a revolution that would change the country of Burma for good.
This video gives a brief over view of who Aung San Suu Kyi and why she is considered to be a leader. This shows how powerful of a woman she its and also how people think of her.
What was Burma like in the 1980s - 1990s?
Myanmar, also known as Burma is a country in Asia. In the 1980s through the 1990s Burma was at it's worst. The Burmese government took full control over the country. Since Burma was such a small country, filled with poverty, it was easy for the government to overpower the country and manipulate their citizens to their desire. The government used the tactic of fear to suppress the people. During the 1980s, fear among the people was just getting started. Gun shootings in the streets of Burma began to occur often. As years went on, everything became worse for the country and their citizens. soldiers were seen in the streets of Burma, loaded with weapons. Fear arose dramatically as soldiers began to recruit little boys as soon as they hit the age of 8. They were brain washed by the government to go against their own family. The streets of Burma were not the best either. Everything was falling apart and the government didn't do anything about it either. People lived in extreme poverty and starvation. They had no clean water, which led to many diseases that killed many. In the 1990s, the elections began. Aung San Suu kyi, was one of the two who ran. The people began to show support in favor of Aung San Suu Kyi and the freedom and human rights. 1998 people who were involved in the protests were massacred by the government. This was a message that pierced fear into the citizens. The governments new way of controlling their citizens was the threat od death. This completely shut them down, and kept them in silence. Aung San Suu Kyi, fought for many years but until 2004 everything changed for the better.
"Fear of imprisonment, fear of torture, fear of death, fear of losing friends, family, property or means of livelihood, fear of poverty, fear of isolation, fear of failure." - Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi's House Arrest
Aung San Suu Kyi faced many obstacles during her fight for democracy and peace. One of her biggest obstacle that completely changed her life was forced solitude and isolation. On July 20, 1989, Aung San Suu Kyi was put under house arrest. She was placed under house arrest for charges of trying to "divide the military". The people in Burma were surprised as to why such unjust decision was made, but the government had no further response as to why they took such actions. This situation sprung fear across the whole country. The citizens thought that if they could shut down such a powerful woman like Aung San Suu Kyi, then they could do it to them as well. Suu Kyi was left in isolation for 21 years. This became important to her because it gave her time to think of what she could possibly accomplish for her future and the future of her people. This event was something that changed Burma forever. Even though she was help under house arrest, she managed to obtain freedom for an entire country.
1:57 - 3:07 This should explain how Suu Kyi took on the situation of her house arrest.
Strong Advocate for Democracy
Aung San Suu Kyi's minneset has always revolved around democracy. She thinks that democracy is the potential solution for Burma's situation. She along with the Burmese citizens have protested in favor of democracy a couple of times. She has always believed that once each country adopted the idea of democracy, than the idea of world peace coulee be a possibility. She strongly believes in the message that Democracy brings to the table. She has met up with many democratic leaders after her house arrest. Two that she considered very important were Mr. former president Barack Obama, in which they discussed democracy and how, it is a solution for Burma. Another person she has came together with is Hillary Clinton to discuss the potential solution for Burma's violence and disorder. She strongly believes that democracy is and will always be the biggest solution for Burma.
Why Is Aung San Suu Kyi A Catalyst for Change?
- Despite her isolation, "Aung was a positive symbol in her own isolation, that sent a powerful message to the people that even though she was in arrest, she was got ready to give up"
- She maneged to get her people together and create peaceful ways to fight for their rights
- even though she went through tough obstacles, she never gave up and dedicated 100% into changing Burma
- Met up with important leaders that could've influenced bringing democracy into Burma
- Tried to make peace with Burmese military
The Elections
Aung San Suu kyi was elected in 1990s but was tragically ignored by the government. Their way of shutting this all down down was putting her under house arrest for the next 20 years until it would all become the forgotten. Even though she had her rights violated again Aung San Suu Ky was reelected more than 25 years later, In 2015 she was elected to serve her people. She quickly rose to power and decided to make Burma a place in which living would'nt be fear any longer. She filled the people with hope. Now she is rebuilding her nations economy. She is also trying to end decades of conflict. She is considered a true symbol of democracy and hope.
Credits:
Created with images by englishpen - "Vigil for Aung San Suu Kyi"